We Are United Prep - Isaiah Davis

We Are United Prep is in full swing at The Basketball Movement. We sat down with student-athlete Isaiah Davis to see how things were going.

Isaiah Davis is a 6’6” guard/forward for We Are United Prep. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, he brings plenty of skill to bolster the We Are United team, preparing to enter its first season in just a few short weeks.

Davis says that classes are going well. He confesses that doing work online and communicating with instructors seemed difficult at first but is mostly just different. His on-court experience has been a change as well.

“We have been working hard,” Davis says. “But it has been really good. We are getting ready to compete at the highest level.”

In particular, Davis says that he has been focusing on off-the-ball work more than ever before. “I've been focusing on moving without the ball, setting hard screens, and creating for my teammates,” Davis says. Working with his teammates and coaches has established what he describes as a “family-based” atmosphere.

“Everyone at We Are United is hard-working,” Davis says. “Work hard or go home, really. It is all or nothing here - no one can come with half effort.”

The hard work is already paying off as Isaiah Davis and his We Are United teammates visibly improve with each passing day. They still have a few weeks of preparation before games begin and apear to be right on track.

Using size to your advantage

Basketball players come in many shapes and sizes. Each variety can be used to a player's advantage.

For a long time, basketball was closed off to only the biggest individuals at its highest levels. Throwing it into the post to let your bruiser back their way to the cup was the most effective form of offense. Times have changed.

The game itself has evolved, as has our understanding of what it takes to win. For example, Foul-calling and three-pointers have been equalizers. Also, the general, widespread knowledge of what it takes to succeed at smaller sizes.

It still certainly helps to be big, but now more than ever, smaller players have opportunities to compete as well.

Guards can use skill and speed

Perimeter players can be light or on the shorter side while still achieving success. A great shot can go a long way in the sport of basketball. Ball-handling and passing as well. A taller player may get a better view of the floor, but being lower to the ground often means improved ball-handling prowess and bounce pass options.

There are numerous examples of shorter players experiencing great success at all levels of the game. For example, the Basketball Movement's Rob Yanders played professionally with grit and savvy rather than overpowering opponents with strength and size - though quickness and toughness helped.

Post players aren't going anywhere

Just because it is easier to be an undersized baller does not mean that post-play is out the door. A surplus of height or even extra (managed) weight/muscle is always an intimidating factor on the court.

The taller you are, the closer you are to the rim. Offense and defense both become a bit easier with height. The top rim-protectors have always been tall with an above-average wingspan.

Even if you are on the bigger side, but height isn't part of the equation, there are ways to succeed. The bigger you are, the more you will be able to impose your will on smaller players.

Not too big, but not too small?

You can definitely work with this too. Being somewhere in-between means that you may be able to match up with multiple positions.

A well-rounded skill set will help you use your size on the perimeter or hang with the bigs down low.

The Basketball Movement is the ideal place to maximize your potential and learn to take advantage of your stature - no matter what that may be. So contact us to schedule some time into your Summer to step up your game with our great coaches and facility!

Elite Guard Camp recap

The first-ever Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp has concluded following a successful weekend.

The Basketball Movement is proud to have hosted the first Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp this past weekend, which included 106 young men from 6th-12th grade.

“It was a great camp,” Rob Yanders says. “I believe this was an excellent way to fine-tune the needed skills for elite guards, which was exactly what we set out to do.”

Fundamental basketball was at the camp’s core, a staple for this kind of event put on by Yanders. Constant work and the fine-tuning of fundamentals are vital in any sport, let alone the tools necessary to become an “elite” guard.

“Everything we do, every station we have at a camp like this is bringing out skills that will apply to in-game situations,” Yanders says. “From there, we wanted to see those skills transfer into those situations through 1vq, 2v2, and 3v3 play. It got competitive. All the players we had wanted to learn and get better.”

After the camp’s success, Yanders mentioned that there could be a girl’s elite guard camp if he determined there would be enough interest. Until then, he did say a shooting camp in the pipeline in just a few short months, so follow us to keep an eye out for any announcements.

“We were very pleased to get all these guys in here ahead of school ball to sharpen their skills,” Yanders says. “I want to thank everyone that came out and especially the trainers and coaching staff that did a fantastic job as always.”

Check out clips and images on The Basketball Movement’s Instagram page, and keep checking back here for everything basketball.

Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp this weekend!

The Basketball Movement is gearing up to host the first-ever Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp.

For the first time, Robert Yanders and The Basketball Movement are putting on a guard-specific camp to hone the skills needed to play the position at an elite level. The action starts tomorrow!

The camp was created with the intention of enhancing existing skills - this is for serious players only. This is specifically for guards that wish to achieve an elite level of play.

Slated for September 4th and 5th, the camp will be for boys from 6th grade to 12th. Activities will be broken up into 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade groups. Below is the anticipated schedule:

Saturday, September 4th

6th-8th Grade: 12:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-6:00pm

Sunday, September 5th

6th-8th Grade: 1:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-5:00pm

Rob Yanders is regarded by many as the top basketball trainer in this part of the country. Additionally, there are few more qualified to provide insight into the guard position.

As a point guard himself, Yanders was successful at the highest levels - three-time state champion, HS All-American, nationally ranked HS team, junior college All-American, Division 1 Missouri Valley All-Conference player, Team USA member, four-time European champion, and British national team member.

Above all, Yanders is a servant of others. We are looking forward to helping some young men get better this weekend. Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement here and on Twitter and Instagram as we roll out media from the camp. See you tomorrow!

We Are United prep is underway

We Are United prep is underway in its inaugural school year, with all young men reporting for duty.

NIXA, Mo — Monday afternoon, August 23rd at The Basketball Movement. Following a four-mile run this morning and a break for lunch and online classes, the first-ever We Are United prep team files back into The Basketball Movement facility.

Some light stretching and shooting later, and Head Coach Rob Yanders divides the players into teams for 5-on-5 runs. Expectations are set as always, and play gets underway. Kanon Gipson (6’3 G) penetrates and makes the offense go for skins, and Jonathan Dunn (6’7 F) bangs a quick outside J for shirts. Yanders observes closely.

Some of these guys have been coming around The Basketball Movement for years. Others are still acclimating to Yanders’ relentless style and level of expectations. The expectations are for these young men to experience on-and-off court growth.

“We are happy they’re here and excited to show them the culture and let them know what we expect,” says Assistant Coach Craig Smith. “Opportunities here are earned. By working hard every day, they can be successful. That is one of the best lessons you can teach a man.”

Rob is the Head Coach, his brother Sly Yanders is Assistant Head Coach, and Craig Smith and Emmanuel Brookshire are the assistants. Rob says that people can expect a hard-working group this season.

“We are excited for these guys to be part of a great community,” Yanders says. “This is not just historic for myself or The Basketball Movement, but for basketball in our area with the addition of this prep school.”

Players are being housed by We Are United in a gated community on the south side of Springfield. Yanders is setting a standard for his program that is unlike anything the area has seen or is likely to see again. Coach Rob takes pride in every bit of his work with basketball and the community; We Are United will receive the same treatment.

September 9th will be an open day for college coaches to evaluate this crop of guys. Yanders reports that he has been fielding calls from programs around the country that are taking interest. We will keep you up to date right here on developments, offers, and chatter.

For everything We Are United - keep it locked to The Basketball Movement.

Definition of elite

The Basketball Movement breaks down the definition of elite - a word that often gets misused.

The Basketball Movement recently announced the first-ever Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp. This new camp is designed to enhance existing skills and is for guards who intend to achieve an elite level of play. What does it truly mean, though, to be elite?

The Oxford Languages definition of elite: “a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.”

So, elite does not have to be one individual. You do not have to be the best to be considered elite, but you need to stand out from your peers as superior. In our world, that means having advanced basketball skills in addition to the necessary mentality to maintain and expand upon your status.

Not every player that comes through our gym doors is elite - not by a long shot. Elite is not a requirement at The Basketball Movement. But the hunger to become elite? An intrinsic drive to improve yourself and overtake your peers on the court? Not only do we encourage that, but the lack of such drive may get called out. We do not like to see you or your parent’s hard-earned money going to waste.

For larger-scale events such as the Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp, we cannot evaluate the mentality of every single player. However, through the course of the camp, the cream will rise to the top as it always does. Even those that do not stand out have the opportunity for drastic improvement as long as they maintain the desire to be elite. Becoming so is a jog, not a sprint.

That said if your kid cannot make a layup, do not try to sign them up, but also try not to be discouraged. The players we expect at these camps have already put time and effort into their hoops journey. Once a player has shown commitment to this journey and puts in some necessary work, we will talk.

Player and person growth and development is what The Basketball Movement is all about. Our goals are an extension of who Rob Yanders is and what he strives for. Not everyone can be elite, but the journey can make us all better.

USA Basketball nets three Olympic gold medals

After a rockier start than expected, USA Basketball showed its resilience by standing atop the podium once again.

USA Men’s and Women’s 5x5 teams secured Olympic gold this past week, as well as the Women’s 3x3 team. The win marks a staggering seventh consecutive gold for the women’s team, including a record five gold medals for Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi.

The women uncharacteristically dropped an exhibition match after a night of woeful shooting. However, they quickly righted the ship and never looked back, dominating, as usual, all the way to the top. Women’s 3x3 faced challenges but also went all the way on the shoulders of four WNBA players.

Men’s 3x3 featured no professional hoopers and were quickly knocked out of contention. It might be nice to see pros or some recently retired pros take the mantle up for Paris 2024.

As we had previously discussed, things got off to a rocky start for the 5x5 Men’s USA team. After dropping their first two exhibition games, the doubters came out in full force. Once they got to Tokyo, the team proceeded to drop their first match in pool play to a talented France squad. After that, the top two teams from each pool moved on, so they were able to handle the other two weaker teams and move on.

Things started clicking for Team USA, and once that happened, the talent gap between them and their opponents grew more noticeable.

They got another crack at France in the gold medal game and prevailed. Durant led the way, and they got gutsy performances from Damien Lillard, who was dealing with an injury throughout.

Fortunately, there is still basketball to watch even with the “2020” Olympics behind us. The NBA Summer League is underway in full, and WNBA action continues. The next time we see the United States represented will be at the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September 2022. Stay tuned!

Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp

The Basketball Movement is excited to announce the Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp for 6th-12th grade boys.

For the first time, Robert Yanders and The Basketball Movement are putting on a guard-specific camp to hone the skills needed to play the position at an elite level.

The camp was created with the intention of enhancing existing skills - this is for serious players only. This is specifically for guards that wish to achieve an elite level of play. The cost to participate will be $100 for the entire weekend. Campers will all get T-shirts.

Slated for September 4th and 5th, the camp will be for boys from 6th grade to 12th. Activities will be broken up into 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade groups. Below is the anticipated schedule:

Saturday, September 4th

6th-8th Grade: 12:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-6:00pm

Sunday, September 5th

6th-8th Grade: 1:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-5:00pm

Rob Yanders is regarded by many as the top basketball trainer in this part of the country. Additionally, there are few more qualified to provide insight into the guard position.

As a point guard himself, Yanders was successful at the highest levels - three-time state champion, HS All-American, nationally ranked HS team, junior college All-American, Division 1 Missouri Valley All-Conference player, Team USA member, four-time European champion, and British national team member.

Above all, Yanders is a servant of others. We are looking forward to helping some young men get better this September. There will be more details coming in the meantime, so stay tuned!

USA Basketball update

Exhibition games have concluded, and the men's and women’s Olympic basketball teams are headed to Tokyo.

In what has historically been a display of dominance, the USA Men’s and Women’s teams faltered in their exhibition games leading up to the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. Between COVID scares and surprising losses, the USA will need to find its footing if they hope to take gold in Japan.

Kevin Love has decided to stay behind to continue nursing his lingering leg injuries. In addition, Bradley Beal has been forced to remain stateside due to health and safety protocols (COVID-19). Keldon Johnson and Javale McGee have since replaced the pair. Coach Gregg Popovich is familiar with Johnson, as he coaches him in San Antonio as well. McGee addresses a need for rim protection.

Zach Lavine will not be flying with the team due to health and safety protocols but is expected to join later in the week. This likely means that the team is being cautious with contact tracing.

Also needing a later flight are Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton. The trio is competing in the NBA Finals, which could conclude as early as tonight or as late as the upcoming weekend. Look for a recap of those Finals right here at The Basketball Movement.

Despite the presence of Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and a litany of other stars, Team USA dropped two of their four exhibition games. The opening loss to Nigeria was a shocker, with only a pair of lesser NBA talents standing out on the African squad. A loss to Australia is more forgivable, as the Aussies have a solid team, but the back-to-back poor games are a surprise from a team sporting USA across its chest.

The USAMNBT finished up exhibitions with wins against aging Spain and Argentina squads and will look to carry momentum into Tokyo.

On the Women’s team, we saw a rare exhibition loss as well. In international play, the women have been even more historically dominant than the men but shot the ball poorly in a loss to Australia.

In a fun twist, Team USA played the WNBA All-Star team (those that either were not selected to Team USA or hail from other countries). Team USA lost that one as well, and the MVP was ironically Arike Ogunbowale, who felt she had been snubbed from the USA roster. Apparently, she had a point.

The ladies will look to get back on track just like the men, and they will need to do so quickly. Friday, July 23rd, marks the first action for both the men and women of Team USA. Keep checking back here as we follow along!

Jonathan Dunn accepts Missouri State offer

Jonathan Dunn (6’7 2022 F) of Yanders Law and We Are United prep has accepted an offer to play for Missouri State University.

Since arriving in Southwest Missouri to finish up his high school basketball career in Logan-Rogersville, Jonathan Dunn has impressed. He was still a bit raw before his time with The Basketball Movement but has proven to be an absolute gym rat, and that work has paid off.

During his time here and with the Yanders Law AAU program, Dunn has gone from athletic forward to a complete player, capable of knocking down the long ball, rebounding at an elite clip, and defending multiple positions. And, yes, he can still put opponents in the rim as well.

After graduating high school, Dunn reclassified to 2022, giving himself more time to gain exposure following a challenging recruiting year due to the pandemic. Dunn has committed to playing for We Are United this fall, and his spring and summer play was all he needed to show what he was truly capable of. Look for Dunn to continue expanding his offensive repertoire and overall feel for the game, working with Rob Yanders this upcoming semester.

Dunn held outstanding offers from Mizzou and Texas Tech before ultimately deciding to attend Missouri State University. Coaches Dana Ford and Corey Gipson know to expect an established rim-runner and high motor guy. But, as he continues to work, the sky is the limit for Dunn.

Congratulations to JD and also congratulations to Missouri State. This pairing should yield impressive results from the get, and we are excited to be able to see it right down the road. Go Bears!

Happy Fourth of July weekend!

Another holiday means another perfect time for reflection, family, and free throw practice… if you ask us.

Independence Day is special because it marks a historic moment for our country and gives us all a chance to celebrate the many freedoms we are afforded. No country is perfect and this is also a time to reflect on what we can do to continue to shape our piece of this world into a shining example of justice, equality, and peace. We all have a part to play - so go out and make a positive difference in your community!

We hope you get some time off to enjoy family and friends and celebrate however you feel is most appropriate. Of course… we would suggest using this time to outwork your competition, but we strive for greatness!

That said, we also want to remind you that there will be no Saturday Clinic this weekend (7/3) as we give our guys a break to be with their loved ones. Those that are missing out on that time to work are encouraged to do some ball-handling work in the driveway, get shots up wherever possible, or even watch some hoops and pay close attention to players you may model your game after.

Saturday will feature game six of the Eastern Conference Finals between Milwaukee and Atlanta. Both teams have been pushed to the brink with their stars having to sit out. The result so far is role players stepping up and fighting tooth-and-nail for a chance to face Phoenix in the NBA Finals. The weekend has a normal slate of WNBA action each day as well.

So enjoy the weekend! Work hard if there is work to be done but do your best to find time to reflect and be grateful as well. As always - keep checking back right here as we monitor the world’s basketball movement and do our part to uplift an already incredible hoops community.

Team USA rosters set

With the 2021 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo quickly approaching, we take a break from the NBA Playoffs to check in.

The men's and women’s Team USA rosters have been filled out ahead of the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Sunday, July 25th, will mark the first games for both men and women. This means some players will be coming immediately from the playoffs but have likely made considerations and arrangements.

For the men, Kevin Durant is the headliner and will be seeking his third Olympic gold medal. Durant was going to be joined by his Nets teammate James Harden, but Harden recently withdrew to tend to his injured hamstring. Gregg Popovich will be the Head Coach once again.

The full, current roster can be seen in the tweet below:

Draymond Green joins Durant as a fellow member of the team that took gold in Rio in 2016. Kevin Love won with the team in London in 2012. The roster is full of players seeking their first Olympic gold, but the shooting and athletic versatility of the squad will make them immediate frontrunners.

The women’s team will be striving for their millionth (seventh) gold medal in a row and are seeking to cement one of the most dominant stretches in USA team sports history. Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird both have four Olympic gold medals, and Sylvia Fowles has three.

Below is the full women’s roster:

For more Olympic hopes action, check out these Twitter accounts:

Junior National Teams

3x3

Youth Development

The women’s 3x3 squad is made up of WNBA players, but the men’s squad is comprised of relative unknowns. This new format will certainly be interesting to see in action as the Olympics get underway.

Each traditional 5x5 squad will have a handful of exhibition games ahead of the official action. Keep checking back here and on our Twitter as we keep up with basketball movement around the globe.

Jonathan Dunn receives offer from Texas Tech

We Are United and Yanders Law standout Jonathan Dunn has received an offer to play at Texas Tech University.

Whether at Logan-Rogersville high or with his Yanders Law AAU squad, Jonathan Dunn has been putting players, coaches, and scouts on notice. With offers from Mizzou and Radford and interest from Purdue, Marquette, South Dakota, and K-State, Dunn now has another big one on the table.

Dunn has now received an offer to play for Texas Tech, and his hard work is paying off in major ways. Now wanted in the Big-12 and SEC, the scramble to sign Dunn is in full swing.

Committed to Robert Yanders’ We Are United prep this fall, Dunn has the opportunity to advance his impressive game even further.

In our recent article on Yanders Law standouts, The Basketball Movement had this to say about Jonathan Dunn:

“Always a threat to bully players inside, Dunn has recently seen his perimeter game takeoff as well. For his muscular frame, he has no issue keeping up with 2s and 3s on the perimeter, and he is evolving into a 3-and-D guy in addition to his rebounding and attacking style. One of the best rim-runners in the Midwest, he has developed the ability to put the ball on the deck and is an ever-evolving threat.

With a motor that just does not stop, Dunn has earned high praise from coach Robert Yanders. “J Dunn is a dawg,” Yanders says. “He has displayed so much growth on both ends of the floor.”

Congratulations on the offer, JD. This is yet another impressive achievement and testament to the work you have put in, but this is not ever yet. Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement for more on our guys!

Kanon Gipson receives D1 offer

We Are United and Yanders Law point guard Kanon Gipson has received a D1 offer from UW Milwaukee.

A rock-solid 6’3 point guard, Kanon Gipson’s stock is on the rise as he continues to impress with his AAU squad, Yanders Law. Gipson wrapped up an impressive senior season at Logan Rogersville before committing to We Are United Prep this fall.

This offer from Coach Patrick Baldwin and UW Milwaukee marks the first D1 offer for Gipson. He has also received interest from UC Santa Barbara and Santa Clara.

Following an impressive stretch with Yanders Law this spring, we recently said this in our 2021 Yanders Law standouts (17u) article:

“Like another notable Santa Clara guard, Kanon Gipson is 6’3, crafty, and has a knack for winning. As steady as they come, Gipson has done a great job leading the club this spring and has drawn praise from coach Rob Yanders.

“Kanon has played against high-level guards all spring and has held his own on both ends of the floor,” Yanders says. “Three-star guys like Jaden Schutt and Sean Jones - Kanon defeated them. He isn’t flashy, but he consistently just gets the job done.””

Gipson is improving daily and is primed to turn heads this fall at Robert Yanders new post-grad school, We Are United. For more on Yanders Law standouts, We Are United, and all things hoops, stay locked to The Basketball Movement.

Team sport MVP

The Basketball Movement breaks down what it means to be the MVP of a team sport.

NBA MVP, WNBA MVP, National College Player of the Year, high school player of the year… we are always seeing awards given to the most valuable players, though basketball is a team sport. To many, team success should be the bar by which all else is measured. In many ways, team success does come first. However, the effort and skill of the individuals make teams win; some individuals bring more to the table than others.

The NBA recently named its MVP for the 2020-21 regular season. Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets was consistent, unique in his dominance, and the leader in almost every statistical category for his team, which finished with a 47-25 record (third in the Western Conference).

Team success? Check. A healthy, consistent season? Check. Statistical dominance? (26/11/8 with great percentages, led NBA in +/- and VORP) Check. Are these the things that truly determine the most valuable player?

On just a team level, the different values players bring can be challenging to quantify. Having a willing distributor could provide more impact than a three-point specialist. Having a three-point specialist could be more valuable some nights than having a dominant rebounder or defensive stopper. Many solid teams are put over the top by a chippy jack-of-all-trades.

Any given team could have a most valuable player that no one else may guess. It could be a great locker room presence that holds the team together. Scoring stands out, but a player’s actual value can only be witnessed by those that watch closely and know what to look for.

Nikola “The Joker” Jokic entered the league humble, a willing passer, and well, tall. He has developed into an elite scorer at all three levels, a solid defender and rebounder, and perhaps the greatest passing center the world has seen. He seems genuinely liked by his teammates and has never been the root of any known drama, a rarity for an NBA star.

Value can be defined subjectively, so there will always be a debate. Some players put up gaudy numbers on largely irrelevant teams, while others like Jokic are simply the most impressive cog in a winning machine. Players who achieve individually but do so by elevating those around them are typically the most valuable.

Basketball is a team sport, after all.

How would you define the MVP of a team sport? Do you think The Joker is the NBA’s rightful winner, or did someone else get robbed? Let’s keep the discussion going as we continue monitoring the basketball movement!

Road trips: Traveling to games

Home court advantage is excellent, but you will be traveling to play half the time or less (during spring and summer).

Traveling to games can often be the worst part of game day. Different teams and players approach this aspect in diverse ways, but it is certainly something that everyone has to deal with one way or another. Traveling short distances is nice, but you may want more time to get in the zone. Traveling long distances is the most challenging because your mind can wander, you could stiffen up, or frankly, you could get bored.

The time and distance between you and your destination can seem insignificant next to the game, shootaround, practice, and so on. While the order of importance of these things can be debated, the travel time is still just one more thing that you must prepare for.

“It’s not the will to win that matters. Everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.”
— Paul "Bear" Bryant

Some coaches encourage quiet trips to games. They see chit-chat, laughter, or what have you as distracting from the task at hand. Others may take no issue with it, as it may be seen as the camaraderie contributing to team building. As usual, when in doubt, do as your coach says.

As a general rule, it is probably okay to chat with your teammates, but you need to try and keep it in the realm of basketball. Talking about your game strategy, plays, or opponent/scouting report are all great ways to pass the time. Even talking about basketball in general, be it NBA, WNBA, NCAA… you are still thinking about the sport you are about to play.

Another good way to pass the time is listening to music; the genre or artist is, of course, up to you. For some, it may be beneficial to listen to something a bit more relaxing if you tend to get nervous or worked up before a game. For many, something that elevates your adrenaline a bit, like rap or rock, is preferable. Find something in your sweet spot and stick with it.

Stiffening up on a long road trip can be a tricky issue to avoid. Stretching is essential here as it is in so many other aspects of basketball. Even if it is rotating your ankles, straightening out your back or legs, or rotating your neck, it isn’t a bad idea to maintain a little movement on the way every so often. Once you’ve arrived, remember that it is never too early to start stretching out.

Some road trips will be extra long. Sometimes you may even travel to a distant town and not play until the next day. In those instances, it is perfectly fine to relax a bit. Listen to what you want, joke around, so on and so forth. As much as possible, though, stay locked in on the task at hand and stay mentally ready to do your thing come game time.

For more tips, team news, and more, keep checking back right here!

2021 Yanders Law standouts (17u)

The Basketball Movement is highlighting several Yanders Law players that have stood out so far this season.

To this point, Yanders Law Basketball has had one of the most competitive AAU schedules in the Midwest. Composed entirely of in-state talent, YLB has competed with high-level Nike, Adidas, and Under Armor sponsored teams. However, as Robert Yanders puts it, his players “want all that smoke.”

“Playing these high-level teams, we win some and lose some,” Yanders says. “The thing is, we’re not looking for trophies. We are looking for scholarships. Going on to play in college leads to things that last forever. Trophies break.”

Almost all of Yanders’ 17U squad bost D1 offers already, but their stock continues to rise as they meet and compete with fierce competition. “We’ve beaten EYBL, UA, Adidas, and some of the best independent teams in the country,” Yanders says. “This spring, we played 40 guys from the ESPN Top 100 list. Our guys love it - we’re competitors.”

A few notable games this season include wins over George Hill All-Indy and Illinois Wolves. Yanders Law Blue Elite trumped All Ohio Red (EYBL), which boasts 12 AAU national championships. The squad played Mac Irvin Fire to a two-point game and Team Thad EYBL to a four-point game. Even from losses, the experience and exposure have resulted in continued buzz for these Yanders Law guys as they show what they can do.

Below, we highlight several standout players from Yanders Law. Get to know the guys repping your corner of the Midwest on the elite AAU scene:

Jonathan Dunn

6’7 Forward

Jonathan Dunn is a 6’7 forward boasting an offer from Mizzou. He has also heard from Purdue, Marquette, South Dakota, and K-State.

Always a threat to bully players inside, Dunn has recently seen his perimeter game takeoff as well. For his muscular frame, he has no issue keeping up with 2s and 3s on the perimeter, and he is evolving into a 3-and-D guy in addition to his rebounding and attacking style. One of the best rim-runners in the Midwest, he has developed the ability to put the ball on the deck and is an ever-evolving threat.

With a motor that just does not stop, Dunn has earned high praise from coach Robert Yanders. “J Dunn is a dawg,” Yanders says. “He has displayed so much growth on both ends of the floor.”

Dunn is committed to playing post-grad hoops for We Are United this fall.

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Cameron Liggins

6’4 Combo Guard

Cam Liggins is a 6’4 combo guard with offers from Western Illinois and Montana State. He has also heard from Oral Roberts, Furman, and recently took a call from Oklahoma State.

Liggins has evolved from a good shooter to a great scorer, displaying the ability to make baskets at all levels. He has become an intimidating downhill attacker but must be chased off the perimeter as he poses a deep threat as well.

“Cam is definitely a mid-major-plus guy,” Rob Yanders says. “One of his best qualities is that he can rebound the hell out of the ball. Elite rebounder at his position.”

Liggins is committed to playing post-grad hoops for We Are United this fall.

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Kanon Gipson

6’3 Guard

Kanon Gipson is a 6’3 guard that has drawn interest from UC Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and UW Milwaukee.

Like another notable Santa Clara guard, Kanon Gipson is 6’3, crafty, and has a knack for winning. As steady as they come, Gipson has done a great job leading the club this spring and has drawn praise from coach Rob Yanders.

“Kanon has played against high-level guards all spring and has held his own on both ends of the floor,” Yanders says. “Three-star guys like Jaden Schutt and Sean Jones - Kanon defeated them. He isn’t flashy, but he consistently just gets the job done.”

Gipson is committed to playing post-grad hoops for We Are United this fall.

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Logan Applegate

6’2 Guard

Logan Applegate is a 6’2 guard with offers from Texas State and SIUe and has drawn interest from Drexel, Westpoint, Belmont, and Nebraska Omaha.

With Gipson assuming point guard duties, Logan Applegate has slid into the role of scoring guard seamlessly and has done a great job working off the ball. Applegate is an elite passer, giving Yanders Law the luxury of having multiple playmakers on the floor at once.

He has a pretty jump shot, a big motor on defense, and impressive athleticism. His stock is rising quickly and will likely not stop anytime soon.

Applegate is committed to playing post-grad hoops for We Are United this fall.

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Elijah Whitley

6’3 Guard

Elijah Whitley is a 6’3 guard with an offer from SIUe. He has taken calls from Eastern Illinois and Nebraska Omaha.

An explosive guard, Whitley has been opening eyes this spring with his bounce and ability in the open floor. Coach Rob Yanders says he would like to see Whitley be more aggressive this July but applauded his ever-developing, well-rounded game.

“He is a jack-of-all-trades,” Yanders says of Whitley. “He is good on the break, plays above the rim, can defend, and score.” Whitley is benefiting from big-game exposure and is likely to be hearing from more programs soon.

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Zach Howell

6’5 Guard/Forward

Zach Howell is a 6’5 guard/forward with an offer from SIUe and has drawn interest from Harvard and Mizzou. He will soon take an unofficial visit to Colorado State as well.

A gym rat of The Basketball Movement for years, the results of Zach Howell’s hard work are striking. As Rob Yanders put it: “Zach is one of the best shooters in the country.”

Howell will be a senior next season at Springfield Catholic but is already able to hang with top talent from around the country. A sound defender, elite shooter, and ever-improving attacker, Howell is poised for an explosive finish to his prep career.

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Tyler Harmon

6’2 Guard

Tyler Harmon is a 6’2 guard with high D2 to low D1 prospects.

Harmon has taken significant steps forward in his time with the Yanders Law program and at The Basketball Movement. He creates a presence on the floor that allows him to play beyond his size and guard multiple positions.

“He is going to be our defensive stopper,” Yanders says of Harmon. “He is good at turning D into O. If he is clicking on defense, then he’s good to go at the other end. He is tough, hard-nosed, and gets it done. We are excited for July as his role continues to grow with the team.”

We Are United Prep - Jonathan Dunn

JONATHAN DUNN IS OFFICIALLY COMMITTED TO PLAYING POST-GRAD HOOPS WITH WE ARE UNITED PREP.

With school ball behind him, Jonathan Dunn is looking forward and focusing on working out and getting better this summer. If his spring performances with Yanders Law Basketball are any indication, things are going incredibly well.

Dunn recently received offers to hoop with Mizzou and SIU-Edwardsville and is currently drawing interest from Iowa State, Purdue, Murray State, Maryland, and more.

Dunn attributed his strong play in AAU ball to his teammates. “We play well together,” Dunn says. “We do a good job playing off the ball. Whoever is hot gets the ball in their hands; when I’m having a good day, they get me the ball.” With Yanders Law, Dunn has certainly had plenty of “good days,” most of which is due to his willingness to run the floor, a nose for the ball, and vicious rack attacks.

He has already come a long way, but Dunn knows there is already room for improvement. He says he will work on his jump shot mechanics this summer, focusing on backspin and having a consistent stroke. “I also want to make sure I’m attacking off the dribble more,” Dunn says. “I also want to use my length to score over the defense.”

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Asked about his decision to continue his hoops career at We Are United, Dunn says he simply needs to continue to get better. “I want to get better, and I want to work with good people - people who are in my corner,” Dunn says.

Since Dunn initially came to The Basketball Movement and began working with Rob Yanders, he says that their similarities have allowed the relationship to strengthen. “He is competitive on-and-off the court, just like me,” Dunn says of Yanders. “He pushes everyone to be the best they can be and still makes sure they continue to work.”

Dunn has been coming to The Basketball Movement and working with Coach Rob long enough that he knows what hard work looks like. The strides he has taken in his time here cannot be understated, and his arrow is pointing straight up.

For more on We Are United’s upcoming inaugural season and all things basketball, keep it locked to The Basketball Movement.

We Are United Prep - Sincere Malone

CHICAGO NATIVE, 6’8 SINCERE MALONE HAS COMMITTED TO PLAYING POST-GRAD HOOPS WITH WE ARE UNITED PREP.

Currently holding offers from Chicago State and Southern U., Sincere Malone is coming from Chicago to We Are United prep in hopes of raising his stock further. Robert Yanders’ new post-grad school will allow Malone to improve rapidly and do just that.

Malone says that school ball ended quickly and mostly felt like a scrimmage environment with no fans being allowed to attend. Making a visit to We Are United, Sincere liked the atmosphere quite a bit, saying that he made his mind up on the spot.

“It is a family environment,” Malone says. “I feel like I am at home. I know that it will be a good place to hoop and develop.”

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Development, hooping, and family are significant areas of emphasis at We Are United and The Basketball Movement, so we are pleased to hear these words. Development starts early, as Rob Yanders is putting his recruits through rigorous workouts already. “I thought IU was in shape before I came here,” Malone told Yanders after a recent workout. Yanders’ patented toughness can mold players in a hurry if they have the correct mindset.

“He’s a hard-knock coach,” Malone says of Yanders. “He knows what it takes to get to the next level. I am self-motivated, but everyone can use that extra voice in their ear. He’ll give me that edge.”

Sincere says that this summer, he will spend his time striving to improve his athleticism, shooting, and rebounding. He also notes that he has work to do to become a better off-ball player, slashing and cutting. With We Are United using The Basketball Movement as its home base, he will get plenty of opportunities to improve every aspect of his game.

Keep an eye out as we highlight more players committed to We Are United and keep it locked to The Basketball Movement for news, player updates, and more.

We Are United Prep - John Lovelace Jr.

Milwaukee native 6’8 John Lovelace Jr. has committed to playing post-grad hoops with We Are United Prep.

Robert Yanders’ new prep school, We Are United, is set to have its inaugural hoops season this fall. Commitments are heating up, including 6’8 John Lovelace Jr. out of Milwaukee, WI.

Lovelace Jr. already boasts offers from Mizzou, DePaul, Western Illinois, and Grambling State. He has received interest from Wyoming and Illinois as well, and his stock is on the rise.

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Lovelace Jr.’s high school coach, Jose Winston, was the connection with Rob Yanders. Coach Winston explained to John that he and Rob would be an excellent fit. “Rob is a great guy,” Lovelace says. “I like that he’ll push me and expects everybody to work hard. He treats the 15th guy like he treats the best players.”

With professional aspirations, Lovelace Jr. knows he has plenty to work on to make his NBA dream a reality. “I’ve been pushing myself in practice ‘til I can’t go anymore,” Lovelace says. “I’ve been working on my athleticism, conditioning, ball-handling, shooting, and creating plays on both sides. I always try to guard the best player too.”

John says that this seems like a great area, and he seems ready to go to work this fall. He says that he is prepared to be pushed, which is music to Rob Yanders’ ears.

“I think the world of John,” says Yanders. “It’s always good to have guys here from where I’m from. The pieces are coming together and the talent level of We Are United is going to be very, very high.”

Stay tuned for more from We Are United and The Basketball Movement.